Autopilot FAQ

What is Autopilot?

A feature on Cambium Enterprise Wi-Fi Access Points that allows one AP to be a controller for other APs on the network, for:

  • Configuration
  • Statistics
  • Events
  • Firmware management.

It is supported on the following Access Points:

Indoor: cnPilot E400, cnPilot E410, cnPilot E600

Outdoor: cnPilot E500, cnPilot E501S

Does Autopilot require AP licenses or special firmware?

No licenses! Autopilot is included by default in any cnPilot E400, E410, E600, E500, E501S Access Point starting with firmware version 3.4.2. To make an AP a controller just log onto the Access Point and configure it as a Autopilot Master-AP.

Does autopilot need a different hardware SKU / Part number on the AP?

Any supported AP can be converted to run in Autopilot mode, no special hardware SKU needed. The AP can be switched back to cnMaestro managed with a configuration change.

Is Autopilot independent of cnMaestro?

Yes, in the current release Autopilot is an independent option, a third management option for Cambium Wi-Fi access points:

  1. cnMaestro Cloud
  2. cnMaestro On-Premises
  3. Autopilot

In the future autopilot and cnMaestro cloud will be integrated to leverage the scalability and features of cnMaestro such as hosted guest access

Does Autopilot support Active-Standby modes?

Active-Standby high availability is planned in an upcoming software update in late 2017.

Does Autopilot support Mesh?

Mesh will be supported in a future software version.

Do Autopilot Access Points need to be on the same Layer-2 Network?

Yes, Autopilot discovery uses Layer-2 broadcast messages so all managed APs should be on the same Layer-2 network (VLAN), VLAN1 is used for this purpose. Client traffic can be on separate VLANs, as Autopilot supports VLAN trunking.

How many APs and Clients can be on one Autopilot Network?

Upto 32 Access Points (a Master-AP can manage 31 others), and upto 1000 wireless clients.

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